The video: When two accomplished women vying for one of New York's two Senate seats get together for their one and only debate, they must focus exclusively on pressing issues like unemployment, foreign affairs, and the national debt, right? Well, don't forget mommy porn. In the Oct. 17 meeting between Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Republican challenger Wendy Long, the question "have you read Fifty Shades of Grey?" somehow made its way into an otherwise serious political discussion. (See the clip below.) The question, directed at Long, was posed by moderator Liz Benjamin, the host of Capital Tonight on YNN, which sponsored the event. The crowd erupted in laughter while Long responded, simply, no. A laughing Gillibrand also responded in the negative. "Me neither, for the record," Benjamin said before quickly moving onto the next question.
The reaction: Bringing Fifty Shades into the debate was totally inappropriate, says Jeanne Sager at The Stir. "Meant to elicit absolutely zero information that can help a voter shape his or her opinion, the question was meaningless at best, sexist at worst." Agreed, says Adam Martin at New York. "Can you imagine a moderator asking Sen. Chuck Schumer and a male opponent the same thing? We can't." Judge for yourself:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spiesSpeed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion banSpeed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling BiblesSpeed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitnessIn Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
